STRESS REDUCTION

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with HEART DISEASE AND HYPERTENSION.]--Stress, anxiety, and panic are ideal symptoms for self-help audio programs because they respond so well to lifestyle changes we can learn. In STRESS REDUCTION, Collinge suggests that we work toward reasonable challenges, maintain a social network, and create daily calmness through mind-body stress-reduction techniques. He spends one cassette side providing up-to-date information about stress physiology and the lifestyle/stress connection. On the remaining sides, stress-reduction techniques focus on achieving life mastery, maintaining physiological balance, and finding wisdom and guidance within one's self in the form of an "Inner Healer." HEART DISEASE AND HYPERTENSION offers one side with information and three with mental exercises that focus on creating a relaxation response, improving the mental-physiological connection, and developing the habit of asking the "Inner Healer" questions about one's lifestyle and goals. Both programs are as good as they get when it comes to promoting good attitude and lifestyle changes. The author has a relaxed and helpful spirit, and his delivery is influential without competing with the content. With this format Collinge appeals to the mind as well as the heart, which helps maintain a respect for the listener's ability to choose involvement with the ideas he offers. T.W. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine [Published: APR/MAY 02]